Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Kindergarten for 2017-18

Is there a cost involved for Kindergarten?

No, there is no longer a cost for Kindergarten.

Where do I register for Kindergarten?

You register at your neighborhood school. If you don’t know which elementary school is your neighborhood site, please call the Instruction office at 206.393.4365. If you are applying to Cascade K- 8 Community School, you still need to register at your neighborhood school as well as Cascade K-8 Community School.

What do I need to bring when I register my child?

Birth certificate, passport or USCIS document

Immunization records – IMMUNIZATIONS MUST BE COMPLETE BEFORE STARTING SCHOOL

Registration for in-district students begins on Thursday, February 2nd at your neighborhood school. Registration is not on a first-come, first-served basis. All students registered by the close of business on February 28th will be put in a drawing on March 14th to fill Kindergarten spaces available at their

neighborhood schools. Only in-district, neighborhood families will be placed in the drawing for the initial classroom placements. Those registering after the last day in February will be added to the wait list as they register.

How many Kindergarten classrooms will there be at each school?

At this time, we do not know how many Kindergarten classes will be at each school. Students not drawn for a class will be put on a wait list in the order their name was drawn. If a spot opens up at your neighborhood school, the next student on the wait list will be called and moved into that spot. If we are unable to get you into your home school, the District will provide transportation to the designated overload school. For the 2017-18 school year, Meridian Park will serve as the primary overload host site for those Kindergarten students unable to attend their neighborhood school due to lack of space. The District’s intent is to return all Kindergarten students to their neighborhood school for grades 1-6.

Is transportation provided for Kindergarten students?

Eligibility for transportation is based on the distance from your home to the school. If you live outside of the 1-mile walk area or in an area designated as a hazardous walk area by the district, your student will be eligible for bus transportation. Please visit our Transportation page on our district website www.shorelineschools.org/transportation for more information.

What if I want my child to go to a different school in Shoreline?

You need to register at your neighborhood school and complete a Resident Transfer form and submit it to the Shoreline School District Instruction office. HOWEVER, resident transfers are only considered at the beginning of the school year after the fourth day count is recorded. If any of the schools are under 95% capacity, resident transfers will be considered with siblings of current resident transfers in that school having priority. Families are encouraged to secure enrollment in their resident school.

The Resident Transfer form may be downloaded from the Shoreline School District website (www.shorelineschools.org/enrollment), District Information, Enrollment. If your resident transfer request is granted, you are required to transport your child to and from school.

What if I live outside of the Shoreline School District?

Shoreline School District is not accepting any new non-resident students in grades K-6.

What if I am a District employee and live outside of the Shoreline School District?

The District shall enroll nonresident students who are the children of District employees at the school to which the employee is assigned or at a school forming the district's K through 12 continuum, which includes the school to which the employee is assigned. (This practice meets state law and our negotiated agreements.)

All children of District employees are guaranteed placement in one of Shoreline’s elementary schools. On the first business day, following February 28th, your child will either be assigned a school or placed on a waiting list.

Is there before and after school care?

There is limited before and after school care available at all school sites. Registration for currently enrolled families begins on 3/15. Registration for new families begins on 3/30. Please contact the Shoreline Children’s Center at 206.393.4256 for information about the cost and how to register.

What if my child is not yet 5 years old by August 31?

Children whose birthday falls between September 1 and October 31 may qualify for early entrance. Parents are responsible for having their child evaluated by a Washington licensed psychologist. For further information about the process, please contact Kim Darcy at 206.393.4217 before contacting a psychologist.

When will we receive information from the school about the new school year?

Most schools send a back-to-school letter towards the end of August, which includes a supply list. Many schools also post the supply list on their website.